WOODSIDE, NY -- The Amusement and Music Owners Association of New York has appointed Allen Weisberg to spearhead a taskforce to aid music and amusement operators impacted by Sandy. Weisberg, an AMOA-NY board member, is also the founder of photobooth-maker Apple Industries and an operator in the New York region. The association said Weisberg's sterling reputation as both a manufacturer and vendor will help bolster its relief effort.

For its part, AMOA-NY is waiving its dues obligations to members for the first quarter of 2013. Industrywide, the association has asked manufacturers, suppliers and operators not affected by Sandy to lend support to the region by providing "deep" discounts on products and services. "This is especially important for operators who need to replace equipment, parts and materials," the association said in a letter to the industry dated Nov. 9. AMOA-NY has also asked industry members to consider making monetary contributions to AMOA affiliated organizations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

AMOA-NY reported that, in the two weeks after the superstorm which made landfall in New Jersey on Oct. 29, many operations were incapacitated by flooding and power losses, and these problems were compounded by fuel shortages. A good number of operators, the association said, have lost locations either temporarily or permanently. In many communities, "dark" locations resulted in zero cashbox receipts. Locations that have reopened, or will, are not expected to be fully restored by the end of 2012. And there are hundreds of locations that have been wiped out for good by flooding and winds.

Overall, the New York trade association observed that the storm's estimated economic damage to the Tristate region could be as high as $60 billion.

"It is very obvious that the manufacturers, distributors and service providers who sell to AMOA-NY members and regard them as good customers want to ensure for the health, strength and financial safety of these small business owners, many of them being sole proprietors or family-owned," AMOA-NY said.

Founded in the 1940s, AMOA-NY Inc. is a nonprofit group that represents the interests of businesses that own and install coin-operated amusement and music equipment in locations throughout New York State. It has about 65 members. Ken Goldberg of PLK Vending (Woodside, NY) is president, and Danny Frank is executive director; Frank can be reached at (212) 279-1041. Sandy taskforce chief Allen Weisberg can be reached at (516) 619-8000 or allenweisberg@faceplacephoto.com.